Gary van der Merwe was arrested along with three others, namely Paul Kilian, Tyrone Oates and Karin Hoge.
Van der Merwe has been classified as one of the most sought after high flyer criminals in Cape Town and was listed amongst the top 200criminals that President Thabo Mbeki wanted arrested in the country.
He appeared in the Bellville Magistrate's court today and will be facing charges of tax fraud estimated at R12 million rand.
He is to face a series of charges relating to defrauding the state andvarious estate agents.
He is also on trial for charges to violation of exchange control.
Commenting on the arrest, Minister Ramatlakane said: "Gary van derMerwe is a high flyer criminal in a particular category. His web ofcrimes were mainly financial having robbed the state of millions ofrands.
"His arrest is a demonstration that the integrated criminal justiceagencies are committed to prove that joining of resources to fightcrime is the way to go.
" His (van der Merwe's) arrest is further proof that crime is not onlycommitted by people who live in Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha. Ouragencies have showed us that even if you live in Plattekloof, they willget you.
" I therefore would want to reiterate my call to those who stillharbour intentions of emulating the likes of Van der Merwe and QuintinMarinus and become gangsters or druglords, they should stop or theywill be stopped."
Minister Ramatlakane also cautioned that "We would want to make it clear that as the integrated agencies, we would explore all legal routesat our disposal to do the right thing in our fight against crime."
Van der Merwe has been released on bail of R60 000. Paul Kilian andTyrone Oates have been released on bail of R30 000 each while Karin Hogewas granted bail of R20 000. They will appear in court again on the 26January 2004.
Van der Merwe and the three have been also ordered to surrender theirpassports.
Last week, the integrated Criminal Justice cluster agencies swooped onhouses around Cape Town and arrested 15 people who include a suspectedmastermind of a notorious organised crime syndicate.
The syndicate leader is Quintin Marinus who originally grew up in alife of crime in Elsiesrivier. At the time of the arrest he ownedseveral properties including a luxury house in Platterkloof worth R900000, and a series of luxury vehicles, Siyaya taxis and ski boats. Allthese assets including a farm, are worth over R10 million, havesince been seized by the Assets Forfeiture Unit. The arrested will appear inBellville Magistrates court on Monday next week.
MEDIA ENQUIRIESMakhaya Mani
Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Community Safety
Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 3873
Cell: 082 780 4493
